You ever walk into a place and just feel like you've been there a thousand times, even if it's your first visit? That’s the vibe at Buck's Fishing & Camping Washington DC. It isn't actually a place where you're going to pitch a tent or cast a line into a river. If you show up with a tackle box and a sleeping bag, you’re going to look a little silly. It’s a restaurant. A really good one.
Tucked away on Connecticut Avenue in the Forest Hills/Chevy Chase area, Buck’s has been a staple since around 2003. It was started by James Alefantis, who also owns Comet Ping Pong next door. People talk about the "DC dining scene" like it’s all lobbyists in suits eating $90 steaks downtown, but Buck’s is the antithesis of that. It’s dark. It’s red. It’s woody. It feels like a high-end cabin where the Wi-Fi is probably spotty, but the wine list is immaculate.
Honestly, the name throws people off. But once you get inside, the "camping" part makes sense in a metaphorical way. You’re there to hunker down.
The Steak That Defined a Neighborhood
If you ask anyone who lives within three miles of Buck's Fishing & Camping Washington DC what to order, they won’t even let you finish the sentence. It’s the steak frites.
Most places try to get fancy with steak. They’ll douse it in truffle oil or serve it with some deconstructed foam. Buck’s just gives you a massive, perfectly seared piece of meat with a pile of thin, salty fries. It’s simple. It’s consistent. In a city where restaurants open and close faster than you can check your mail, that kind of reliability is basically a superpower.
The menu doesn't change much, and that’s a choice. You have the roasted chicken. You have the seasonal fish. You have the iceberg wedge. It’s comfort food, but executed with the precision of a chef who isn't trying to prove anything anymore because they already know they're the best on the block.
👉 See also: Sleeping With Your Neighbor: Why It Is More Complicated Than You Think
What's Up With the Decor?
The aesthetic is... specific. Imagine if a very wealthy fisherman decided to open a bistro. There’s a canoe hanging from the ceiling. There are model ships. The lighting is so dim you might need your phone flashlight to read the specials if your eyes haven't adjusted yet.
It creates this weirdly intimate atmosphere. You’ll see couples on a third date sitting next to a family celebrating a 50th anniversary. It’s one of the few places in DC where the "Upper Northwest" crowd actually lets their hair down. It’s not about being seen. It’s about eating.
Why Locals Keep It a Secret (Sorta)
There’s a funny thing about Buck's Fishing & Camping Washington DC. It’s rarely on those "Top 10 Hottest New Restaurants" lists you see in glossy magazines. And the locals love that. They don't want a two-hour wait for a Tuesday night dinner.
The service is famously "neighborhood style." It’s professional, but they aren't going to recite a poem about where the carrots were grown. They’ve seen it all. They know the regulars by name. If you’re a first-timer, you might feel like you’re crashing a private club for the first five minutes, but that fades once the bread hits the table.
The Comet Connection
You can’t really talk about Buck’s without mentioning Comet Ping Pong next door. They share an owner and a back alley, but they couldn't be more different. Comet is loud, bright, and full of kids and indie rock. Buck’s is the grown-up sibling.
✨ Don't miss: At Home French Manicure: Why Yours Looks Cheap and How to Fix It
Sometimes people start with a drink at Buck’s and end up playing ping pong next door. Or vice versa. It’s a weird little ecosystem on Connecticut Avenue that shouldn't work as well as it does.
The Reality of Dining Here in 2026
Prices have gone up everywhere. That’s just the world we live in. Buck’s isn't cheap, but it feels fair. You aren't paying for "concept." You’re paying for a kitchen that knows how to salt a potato and a bartender who knows that a martini shouldn't be a science project.
One thing to keep in mind: reservations.
Don't just roll up at 7:00 PM on a Friday and expect to be seated. Even though it’s a neighborhood joint, the neighborhood is loyal. Use Resy or whatever platform they’re using this week. Or just go early. The bar is a great spot if you’re solo or just with one other person.
How to Do Buck’s Right
If you’re planning a visit, don't overthink it.
🔗 Read more: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Menu: Why You’re Probably Ordering Wrong
- Order the Steak. Even if you think you want the fish. Just get the steak. Share it if you have to.
- Look at the Art. The walls are covered in interesting stuff. It’s curated but feels accidental.
- Save Room for Dessert. They usually have a chocolate cake or something seasonal that tastes like it was made by someone's grandmother who went to culinary school in Paris.
- Walk the Neighborhood. After dinner, walk a few blocks north or south. It’s one of the prettiest stretches of residential DC.
Buck's Fishing & Camping Washington DC isn't trying to change the world. It’s not trying to win a Michelin star (though the food is certainly good enough). It’s just trying to be a great restaurant. In a city that often feels temporary and transactional, having a place that feels permanent is worth its weight in gold.
Go for the food. Stay because it’s the only place in the city that feels like a warm hug in a dark room.
Next Steps for Your Visit
Check the current seasonal menu online before you go, as they do rotate their fish and vegetable offerings based on what’s actually fresh. If you are driving, give yourself an extra fifteen minutes to find parking on the side streets—Connecticut Avenue is notoriously tight during dinner hours. Finally, if you're sensitive to noise, ask for a table further away from the bar area, as the acoustics in the front can get quite lively when the after-work crowd settles in.